The introduction of Home Reports later this year could have an adverse impact on Scotland's property market.  Janey Milligan, Chairman of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS Scotland) predicted that there will a surge of homes coming on to the market in the summer and autumn this year as homeowners decide to sell before the reports come in to force at the start of December.

Ms Milligan said: "People seem very wary of the Single Survey because it is new and may cost sellers money so they will naturally want to avoid change and sell their homes before December.
This means a flood of properties on the market in the summer and autumn, pushing prices down as buyers have more flats and houses to choose from.

"Scotland has been enjoying steady price increases over the last few months, outperforming London and the rest of the UK.  But the Single Survey's introduction could change all that."  The Single Survey is a key part of the Home Report which will also include a property questionnaire completed by the seller and an energy report.  It is not clear yet how much a Home Report will cost, but industry estimates suggest that the cost could range from £450 to over £1,000 depending on the value of the property.